Murder suspect declines to take stand in Danielson trial

The state rested its case Tuesday in the murder trial of Timothy J. Quail Sr. with the presentation of DNA evidence matching the blood on Quail’s clothes to his slain girlfriend.

GREG SMITH

The state rested its case Tuesday in the murder trial of Timothy J. Quail Sr. with the presentation of DNA evidence matching the blood on Quail’s clothes to his slain girlfriend.

Charged with murder in the 2009 stabbing death of 38-year-old Robin Cloutier, of Pomfret, Quail initially appeared ready Tuesday to testify on his own behalf.

After a brief recess and consultation with defense attorney Mark Hauslaib, however, Quail opted not to take the stand. The decision was made outside the presence of the 12-member jury in Danielson Superior Court.

Judge Patricia A. Swords asked Quail about his decision.

“There’s no right or wrong answer here,” Swords said. “You have to decide what’s in your best interest.”
Quail appeared to be on the fence.

“I’m really not sure. But if I have to make a decision now — I don’t think so. I trust his judgment more then I do my own,” Quail said, looking to Hauslaib.

Swords said Quail would have the opportunity to testify today if he chose to do so. If he does testify, Quail opens himself up to questions by prosecutors about his past criminal history.

Prior to resting the state’s case, Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Crockett called Nicholas Yang to the witness stand. Yang works with the state forensic laboratory and explained findings for the items tested for DNA evidence.

Among the most significant findings was blood on the clothing Quail left at his sister’s home in Plainfield shortly after Cloutier’s body was discovered on Dec. 16, 2009. Cloutier was found in the bedroom of her home at 11 Wolf Den Drive in Pomfret. There was blood throughout the room and a bloodied aluminum bat on the bed.

Police said Quail was at his sister’s house prior to being hospitalized for extreme intoxication.

Yang said the blood from Quail’s pants and shirt matched Cloutier’s. The blood on the bat and kitchen faucet also was Cloutier’s, Yang testified.

Yang said Quail’s DNA was not found on the grip of the bat, a fact pointed out by Hauslaib during cross-examination.

Hauslaib also questioned the DNA tests themselves. Yang said several of the initial DNA tests completed in 2010 were done with “substandard kits.” New tests were completed this month on some of the items of evidence, Yang said, yielding slightly different results.

In the initial test on the grip of the bat, Yang said they discovered a mixture of DNA, and Quail could not be eliminated as one of the sources.